HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Buchanan, N. P. Articles by Moritz, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Buchanan, N. P. Articles by Moritz, J. S.

Main effects and interactions of varying formulation protein, fiber, and moisture on feed manufacture and pellet quality

Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506

¹ Corresponding author: Joe.Moritz{at}mail.wvu.edu

The majority of broiler feed is in pelleted form. Feeding pelleted diets results in improved BW gain and FE compared with feeding mash diets. However, improvements in performance are contingent on pellet quality. Past research has focused on methods to improve pellet quality without negatively affecting processing variables and performance. The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effects and interactions that occur when small inclusion amounts of fiber, protein, and moisture were formulated into corn- and soybean-based broiler diets. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, small inclusion amounts (5%) of fiber (in the form of cellulose) or protein (in the form of soy protein isolate) improved the pellet durability index and the modified pellet durability index compared with the control (P 0.05). Moreover, manufacturing variables were not negatively affected (P > 0.05). In experiment 2, small inclusion amounts of protein (2%), in the form of soybean meal, and moisture (2 and 4%), in the form of tap water, improved the pellet durability index and the modified pellet durability index (P 0.05). Small inclusion amounts of fiber, in the form of oat hulls, negatively affected pellet quality and manufacturing variables. Ingredient interactions were not observed for manufacturing variables or pellet quality. These results demonstrate that small inclusion amounts of supplemental fiber (cellulose), protein (soy protein isolate or soybean meal), and moisture (tap water) can be used to ameliorate poor pellet quality.

Key Words: pellet durability • starch • protein • fiber • moisture